A visit to the Real Alcazar...

Yet again, another week has flown by. This time the weekend was capped off with a trip to Lagos, Portugal to get some much needed rest and relaxation. I don't know that we got a whole tonne of either but we sure had a blast. I will post pictures of Portugal soon but for now lets talk about one of Sevilla's must-see sights: The Real Alcazar.

Here's a brief explanation, Wikipedia style:
"The Alcázar of Seville (Spanish "Alcázares Reales de Sevilla" or "Royal Alcazars of Seville") is a royal palace in Seville, Spain. Originally a Moorish fort, the Alcázar (from the Arabic القصر, al-qasr, meaning "palace") has been expanded several times. The Almohades were the first to build a palace, called Al-Muwarak, on the site. Most of the modern Alcázar was built over Moorish ruins for King Pedro of Castile (also known as Pedro the Cruel) with construction beginning in 1364. Pedro used Moorish workers to build his palace giving it a distinctly Islamic design. The palace is one of the best remaining examples of mudéjar architecture, a style under Christian rule in Spain but using Islamic architectural influence. Subsequent monarchs have added their own additions to the Alcázar. Charles V's addition of gothic elements contrasts with the dominant Islamic style."

**Note that it is also an UNESCO World Heritage Site.**

I know I shouldn't do the ol' cut and paste but I'm tired and I wanted to sum in up relatively easily. The Real Alcazar contains many different parts, many contain slow trickly fountains (traditional muslim structures) which even when packed with tourists, the serenity still flows. The huge gardens snuck neatly behind high walls right in the downtown core speaks to many of Seville's greatest treasures who are tucked behind heavy canopies of palm/orange/lime or beauginvelia.

The Real Alcazar is a must see while in Seville. It costs 7 euro to get in (unless you wheel and deal for the student rate, which then means sometimes free) but it is well worth it. The brilliantly coloured tapestries and mosaics remind why Spain often does it best.

I just can't believe that I'm really here and that I'm so lucky to have the opportunity to do this. I know I will look back and believe that this was one of the greatest decisions of my life, but I feel like I already know that.